Softball (4/7)

Softball Preview Capsules

Caledonia Warriors

Head Coach:  Chad Augedahl 

Where We Left Off in 2024:  The Warriors won the TRC-East (14-1).  Caledonia then went 6-2 in the playoffs, making the 1AA title game.  They beat Randolph once, but then fell in game two 6-0.  The Warriors finished as section runner-up at 24-4, their most wins in program history. 

Seniors/Juniors: none.  Key Returning Underclassmen: Avery Augedahl (So. P/SS), Elsa Blum (So. 1B), Adrienne Lange (So. C), Paizley Lange (So. 3B), Vivian Kittleson (So. 2B).    

Outlook:  The Warriors enter off a watershed season.  They graduated three All-TRC players in Braelyn Lange (P/SS > 14-3 record, 110 2/3 IP, 54 BB, 169 K, 1.27 ERA; .314 average, 10 extra base hits, 26 RBI, 22 R), Annah Anderson (RF > .427, ten 2B, four HRs, 28 R, 30 RBI), and Kennedy Hansen (CF > .376, seven 2B, 23 RBI, 25 R).  But Caledonia returns four All-TRC picks, all having been honored as freshmen.  Avery Augedahl (10-1 record, 16 BB, 87 K, 1.08 ERA; team second-best .443 average, seven 3B, six HR, 27 RBI, 38 R) led the team in home runs and runs.  Elsa Blum (.534, 13 2B, three 3B, four HR, 34 RBI, 33 R), an AA All-State honorable mention pick, led the team in average and RBIs.  Each was All-Section.  Paizley Lange (.400, six 2B, four HR, 24 RBI, 29 R) and Adrienne Lange (.390, ten 2B, four 3B, two HR, 21 RBI, 33 R) each were also All-TRC.  Additionally, Vivian Kittleson (.316, five 2B, two HR, 15 RBI, 20 R) made All-TRC HM.  Coach Augedahl has four starting spots to fill including shortstop (with A-Augedahl likely pitching).  The squad is junior and senior-less, but has the four All-TRC returnees and 19 returning home runs.

Chatfield Gophers 

Head Coach: Brent Berge 

Where We Left Off in 2024:  Chatfield went 9-5 in the TRC, won its first two playoff games to make the section semifinals, then dropped two straight.  Their season ended versus Cotter/HL by 5-2 final.  They finished at 15-9.  

Seniors: Brittin Ruskell (2B), Katryn Johnson (P/IF), Kendall Knutson (OF), Anna Bernau (OF), Faith Schultz.  Juniors: Brynn Horsman (OF), Grace Finley (OF), Kylie Sinn, Olivia Karver, Eve Goetzinger.  Key Returning Underclassmen: Makenna Dornack (So. SS), Rylee Urban (So. P).  

Outlook:  Chatfield competed near the top of the TRC-West and 1AA a year ago.  The Gophers had four All-TRC picks.  Only one graduated, four-time all-league selection, Class AA All-State HM pick Alexis Hinckley (.457 average, 11 2B, team-high 5 HR, team-high 34 RBI).  Makenna Dornack, Rylee Urban, and Katryn Johnson return as All-TRC picks.  Dornack made 2nd team Class AA All-State and All-Section last year leading the team in average and runs (.474, .583 on-base, 11 2B, two 3B, HR, 42 R, 24 RBI).  Urban (103 2/3 IP, 11-6 record, 26 BBs, 121 Ks, 1.89 ERA) was the top pitcher.  Johnson (.303, two HR, 17 RBI, 16 R; 42 1/3 IP, 4-3 record, 26 BB, 48 K, 2.48 ERA) also took the mound.  A trio of All-TRC HM picks are also back, Brittin Ruskell (.338, six 2B, 24 RBI, 22 R), a state title team starter in 2023, Brynn Horsman (.316, 11 RBI, 15 R), and Grace Finley (.304, 10 RBI, 8 R).  Kendall Knutson and Olivia Karver are two other returnees.  All told, the Gophers return their top two pitchers and seven of their top nine hitters.

Houston Hurricanes

Head Coach: Josh Swenson 

Where We Left Off in 2024:  Houston went 12-2 in the SEC taking second behind Southland.  The ‘Canes then won an opening round 1A playoff game, but followed with two losses to finish 14-9.  

Seniors: Emily Botcher (P), Caitlyn Brand (C), Rylee Servais.  Juniors: Olivia Yohe (3B), Danica Stampka, Averie Evanson.  Key Returning Underclassmen: Julia Swenson (So. OF), Rylee Boldt (So. 2B), Emmie Melbo (So.), Kylie Stinson (8th SS), Aspen Peterson (So.). Claire Frauenkron (8th grader), Caidence Frauenkron (8th grader).  

Outlook:  Houston will look to take a step this year and get past a one-win post-season.  The Hurricanes had five All-SEC picks last year, Julia Swenson, Emily Botcher, Olivia Yohe, Kylie Stinson and Rylee Boldt.  All return. Swenson was Class A All-State honorable mention, leading the team in hitting (.522), doubles (11), RBIs (28) and runs (37).  Botcher and Yohe are each two-time All-SEC picks.  The former (133 1/3 IP, 14-7 record, 54 BB, 151 K, 1.78 ERA; .343 average, 12 RBI, 13 R) threw almost every inning last year.  The later had eight triples (.324, HR, 14 RBI, 31 R).  Stinson was fantastic for a 7th grader (team second-best.462 average, seven 2B, 27 RBI, 23 R), Boldt (.357, 11 RBI, 13 R) also solid.  Additionally, Caitlin Brand (.343) returns after making All-SEC HM.  Emmie Melbo (.311, 11 R), Claire Frauenkron (.385), Claire Reay, Caidence Frauenkron, and Aspen Peterson also have experience.  Houston last year is pretty much Houston this year, which bodes well for a third straight successful season.

Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland Bulldogs

Head Coach: Mark Eickhoff 

Where We Left Off in 2024:  The Bulldogs went 8-6 in the SEC, taking fourth place (of 8).  GMLOK fell to Zumbrota-Mazeppa 10-0 in the Round of 16 of the 1AA playoffs.   They finished at 9-12.  

Seniors: Aspen Kolling (P), Candace Hanson (1B). Juniors: Cheyenne Bakken (C), Jaelee Hagstrom (3B), Emma Howard (2B), Macy Runck (OF), Hailee Warren (OF), Mali Warren (IF).  Key Returning Underclassmen: Mollie Voigt (Fr. SS), Mabel Johnson (So. IF).  

Outlook:  GMLOK had two All-SEC picks.  Multi-year starter and Class AA All-State 2nd team pick Lucie Voigt (SS > team-best .533 average, eight 2B, five 3B, three HR, 17 RBI, 30 R) was one, but she graduated.  The second All-SEC pick is returning pitcher Aspen Kolling (113 IP, 7-11 record, 72 BBs, 134 Ks, 4.94 ERA; team second-best .382 average, 16 RBI, 13 R).  All-SEC HM catcher Cheyenne Bakken (12 RBI, 11 R) also returns.  Mollie Voigt (.318, six 2B, 15 RBI, 12 R), Macy Runck (.255, five 2Bs, 15 RBI, 13 R), Hailee Warren (.271, 11 RBIs, 12 R), Emma Howard (.283), and Jaelee Hagstrom (.269, 12 RBI, 12 R) are five more returning every game girls while Candace Hanson and Mabel Johnson also played some.   The Bulldogs are nearly all intact from last year, save Lucie Voigt.  With their battery returning and a lot of experience, improving on last year would be a decent bet.

Mabel-Canton Cougars

Head Coach: Kati Bergey 

Where We Left Off in 2024: The Cougars went 9-5 in the SEC, taking third behind Southland and Houston.  M-C then lost a Round of 16 1A playoff game to Lewiston-Altura 10-4.  They finished 10-10 overall.  

Seniors: Kira Snyder (C/OF), Lainey Hosting (P/2B), Lydia Vatland (1B/OF), Kailey Ingvalson (SS), Hope Erickson (1B/3B).  Juniors: Tylar Wenthold (P), Isabella Torgerson (OF/2B). Key Returning Underclassmen:  Ella Halverson (So. Utility), Hailee Eiken (8th grader utility).  

Outlook: M-C had two All-SEC picks last year in pitcher Tylar Wenthold and catcher Kira Snyder, and each return, as does All-SEC HM shortstop Kailey Ingvalson.  Wenthold repeated as All-league, striking out 180 in 111 innings (10-9 record, 55 BB, 2.52 ERA; .333 average, five 2B, 12 RBI).  Snyder was the teams’ top hitter (.433, 14 RBI).  Ingvalson had a team second-best 13 RBI, a team-high 17 runs.  Other notable Cougar returnees and Ella Halverson (.289, 9 RBI, 16 R), Lainey Hosting (16 R), Hope Erickson (four 2B, 11 RBI, 12 R), Lydia Vatland (12 R), Isabelle Torgerson (10 R, 10 RBI), and Hailey Eiken.   M-C last year is pretty much M-C this year.  The team hit .238 in 2024, albeit scoring 138 runs in 20 games (6.9 per contest).  They drew almost as many walks (108) and they had hits (117).  

Rushford-Peterson Trojans

Head Coach:  Holly Ekern 

Where We Left Off in 2024: The Trojans went 2-13 in the TRC.  They fell to Wabasha-Kellogg 4-2 in a 1A Round of 16 contest and finished 6-15 overall.  

Seniors: Lindsey Hoiness (P/IF), Delaney Vaughn (C/IF), Neveah Happel (OF).  Juniors: Torryn Schneider (C/IF), Shelby Tesch (P/OF), Lilly West. Key Returning Underclassmen: Ariana Bettinger (So.), Morgan Rye (So.).  

Outlook:  R-P graduated four seniors including their only All-TRC pick in Cassandra Boyum (OF > team-best.426 average, six 2B, two 3B, HR, 16 RBI, 20 R), and one All-TRC HM pick, shortstop Ellie Ekern (.323, 14 RBI, 15 R).  Most used pitcher Shelby Tesch (.311, six 2B, two 3B, HR, 19 R; 67 2/3 IP, 7.45 ERA), an All-TRC HM selection, is the only honored returnee.   Lindsey Hoiness (38 2/3 IP, 6.70 ERA) and Morgan Rye (19 1/3 IP, 5.43 ERA) also pitched last year.  Also back are full-timers Torryn Schneider (.245, 16 R), Delaney Vaughn, and Ariana Bettinger.  R-P has three seniors and three juniors.  More wins will probably come if the pitching can be steadier.  Last year’s walks to strikeouts ratio was not ideal (over 2 to 1) and the team ERA was 6.91.  

Spring Grove Lions 

Head Coaches: Kelsey Morken and Taylor Elton

Where We Left Off in 2024: In only their second season of softball, the Lions placed fifth among eight SEC teams going 7-7 in league play and 7-13 overall. Seeded 13th among 15 Section 1A teams, SG fell to 4-seed Hayfield.

Seniors: Emerson Ingvalson (3B/CF), Kendal VanMinsel (1B), Katie Klug (RF), Sydney Holland (LF), Joelle Halverson (2B).  Juniors: Addison Kessler (OF), Madison Lile (OF/IF).  Key Returning Underclassmen: Izabel Kaufmann (So. C), Brinley Middendorf (So. P/3B), Jada Strinmoen (So. SS/CF/P)

Outlook: Graduation claimed MVP, RBI-leader and honorable mention All-SEC pick Katelyn Kraus, but the Lions return eight of 10 letter winners including both All-SEC picks, Emerson Ingvalson (.281 average, 12 RBI) and Jada Strinmoen. The latter led the team in runs scored and stolen bases. She moves from centerfield into the vacancy at shortstop (.283, 15 SB, 23 R).  Brinley Middendorf was the primary pitcher last year (113 1/3 IP, 7-12 record, 79 K, 125 BB, 6.18 ERA; 10 RBI).  Seventh grader Claire Sherburne is a pitching possibility as well.  Izabel Kaufmann is back behind the plate (.238, HR, 9 RBI, 22 R) while Kendal VanMinsel returns to first base (12 R) as does second-leading hitter Joelle Halverson at second base (.302).  Returning to the outfield are leading hitter Sydney Holland (.321, four 2B, HR, 9 RBI) and Katie Klug.  There needs to be fewer hitting strikeouts more pitching strikeouts.  It is a veteran team, which bodes well for more success.  But none of the letterwinners played softball before high school. 

Fillmore Central/Lanesboro Falcons 

Head Coach: Derek Ihrke (new) 

Where We Left Off in 2024:  The Falcons went 0-15 in the TRC.  They fell to Kenyon-Wanamingo 7-1 in the 1A Round of 16 and finished 4-17.  

Seniors: Haley O’Connor (OF), Izzy Nagel.  Juniors: Jensyn Storhoff (P/SS), Hailey Erickson (1B), Lydia Lecy.  Key Returning Underclassmen: Josie Corson (So. 2B/C), Emma Ruen (So. P/SS) 

Outlook:  FC/L has been through a few coaches since Tris Tollerson retired a few years back.  Derek Ihrke is the newest to helm the Falcons, as he takes over for Samantha Bratland.  He inherits a team with no returning All-TRC or All-TRC HM players and just seven combined sophomores, juniors, and seniors total.  They also have six freshmen on their varsity, the largest class.  Jensyn Storhoff (P/SS), Haley O’Connor (OF), Hailey Erickson (1B), Josie Corson (2B/C), and Emma Ruen (P/SS) are FC/L’s five key returnees.  Returning in key positions are Storhoff, who did most of their pitching, played shortstop, and batted third last year, and O’Connor, who led off.

Southeast Conference Softball

Houston 6, Mabel-Canton 0 (H: E. Botcher 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 15 K, Win; Rylee Boldt 3-3, 2 RBI, 2 R; Claire Frauenkron 1-3, 3B, 2 R; Caitlin Brand 1-3 RBI.  M-C: T. Wenthold 7 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 15 K.  Botcher set down 13 straight.  M-C 0-1, 0-1)     

GMLOK 9, Alden-Conger/G-E 1 (GMLOK: A. Kolling 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 ER, 9 BB, 13 K, Win (2-0), 2-3, 2B, R; C.  Hanson 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI; Hailee Warren 4-5, two 2B, 2 R; Jaelee Hagstrom 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Macy Runck 2-3, 2 RBI, 2 R.  Bulldogs > 1-0, 2-0) 

Non-Conference Softball (3/25 – 28)

Houston 14, Triton 2 (H: E. Botcher 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 14 K, Win; Cl. Frauenkron 3-3, HR, RBI, 2 R; Olivia Yohe 4-5, two 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R; Caidence Frauenkron 3-4, 2B, RBI, 3 R; Aspen Peterson 2-4, 3 RBI, 2 R; Julia Swenson 1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, R; Rylee Boldt 3-4 RBI, R.  Houston had three, three run innings and a four-run inning) 

Schaeffer Academy 1, Spring Grove 13 [5] (SG: C. Sherburne 5 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 9 BB, 12 K, Win; 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI: Izabel Kaufmann 1-2, 3B, 2 RBI; Emerson Ingvalson 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Brinley Middendorf 1-4, 2B.  SG 1-0, 1-0)

Blooming Prairie 0, GMLOK 5 (GMLOK: A. Kolling 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 7 K, Win, 1-4, 2 RBI; Jaelee Hagstrom 1-2, 2 R; Hailee Warren 1-2, RBI; Macy Runck 1-3, RBI; Gabby Glock 2-3, R; Emma Howard 1-3, R) 

Houston 1, La Crescent/Hokah 9 (H: R. Boldt 1-3, 2B; Aspen Peterson 1-2. Hurricanes > 1-0, 2-1)